17 February 2022

Two Trust staff members have contributed to a systematic review of the literature on catatonia in older people to ascertain its clinical characteristics across settings.

Dr Jordi Serra-Mestre, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist at the Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Marco Isetta, Head of Technology-enhanced Learning, Library and Knowledge Services, were among the authors of the paper on Catatonia in older adults: A systematic review.

The authors of the paper, which appears in the World Journal of Psychiatry, reviewed 173 articles: 108 case reports, 35 case series, 11 prospective cohort studies, six case-control studies, three retrospective cohort studies and 10 reviews.

The authors state: “We found several particular aspects of catatonia in this population. Catatonia in older patients is highly prevalent and tends to have a multifactorial etiology. Older patients, compared to younger patients, have a higher risk of developing catatonia with benzodiazepine (BZD) withdrawal, in bipolar disorder, and in the general hospital. Age, together with other risk factors, was significantly associated with the incidence of deep venous thrombosis, neuroleptic malignant syndrome poor outcome, other complications and mortality. Treatment with BZDs and electroconvulsive therapy is safe and effective. Prompt treatment of its cause is essential to ensure a good prognosis.”

They conclude: “Catatonia in older patients is highly prevalent and tends to have a multifactorial etiology. The risk of developing catatonia in some settings and conditions, as well as of developing complications, is high in this population. Symptomatic treatment is safe and effective, and timely etiologic treatment is fundamental.”

To read the article click here.